Automobile top



Npv. 2; 192e. 1,605,127

W. MAYO AUTGMOBILE TOP Filed Oct. 9. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l """WII'TII lllllllll gmimsmme Nov. 2 1926. 1,605,127

- w. MAYO AUTOMOBILE TOP Filed Oct. 9. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. Z, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM MAYO, or SAN FRANCISCO, oALIroRNIA.l

AUTOMOBILE T01?.

Appneationmea october 9,

The invention relates to automobile tops of the` sliding window type, which are used extensively to convert open cars to closed cars. l

An obj ect' of the invention is to provide an automobile top of the sliding windowtype in which the sliding windows may be locked in any adjusted position.l

Another object of the Invention is to provide an automobile top of the sliding window type, which remainsisubstantially rattle proof during the use ofthe automobile.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automobile top of-the sliding window type, in which both ofthe windows on one side ofthe car may be simultaneously locked in any adjusted position or simulta` neously released.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for producing a tight joint be tween theisliding window vand the body to prevent rattling of the window.

The invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which, vwith the foregoing, will be set forth at length in the fol lowing description, where Ishall outline in full, that form of my invention, which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming part of 'the present specification. In said drawings I have shown one form of automobile top embodying my invention, but it is to be understood that I do not limitmyself to such form, since the invention, as set forth in the claims, may be embodied in a plurality of forms.

Figure l is a side elevation of an automobile top embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through one side of the automobile top taken on the line 2 2 Figure 3, a portion .of thev struc# ture being broken away to reduce 'the size of the figure. j

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section through one side of the automobile top showing two sliding windows. j

Figure i is a detail illustrating the movement of the part to release the sliding winf dows.

Figure 5 is a detail illustrating the move- 'ment of the part to clamp the sliding windows.

The automobile top shown in the drawings is provided with two sliding windows 2 and 1923. VSerial N0. 667,490.

3, which, when in extended position, close the space between the front standard 4 and the rearxed panel 5 of the automobile top. The panel 5 is of sufficient depth, so that when the windows 2 and 3 are moved backward, they may be contained within a pocket formed in the panel. Each window is slid able upon a separate trackway so that one window may be moved past the other and so that the windows may be placed in any de sired adjusted position. It is understood that two windows are arranged on each side of the automobile and that each side is provided with a. fixed panel 5 which serves as a f housing to conceal the windows when they are moved backward to their furthest position. There is a traclway construction arranged at each side of the top and these traclrway. constructions are connected by the roof bows 6 which extend across the top.

Arranged at each side of the automobile top and suitably secured to the roof bows, is a side plate 7 which extends longitudinally for .the length of the top. The side plate 7 is provided on its under surface with a groove in which there is disposed the longitudinal slide bar 8, movement of which serves to Yclamp 4or release the windows 2 and 3. The slide bar 8 is supported in the groove by cross straps 9 arranged at suitable intervals.

Secured to, and extendingV below the side plate 7 on the inside of the top, is the inside top rail 10, and similarly arranged on the outside of t-he top is the outside top rail 12. These two rails are spaced apart by the side plate and extend below the side plate forming a longitudinal recess or groove in which the windowhanging and locking structure is disposed. Iheslide bar8 is provided on its under surface, at suitable intervals, withV fingers 13 having inclined surfaces which engage cooperating parts, during the movement of the slide bar.I vto llock or release the windows. Y

`Arranged'below the side plate 7 is a longitudinally disposed window carrier le which extends substantially for the length of the top. This carrier 14 is preferably formed of wood and is provided on its under surface with longitudinally extending grooves 15 and 16 having metallic linings 17. Secured to the bottom of the window carrier is va rail 18 'which partly overlies the grooves 15J and .16 and on which thesliding window hangers 19 are mounted. The hangers are provided with heads 21 which are disposed in the-grooves and these heads are -provided with inclined or bevelled surfaces 22 which lie adjacent similarly inclined or bevelled surface of the grooves. The heads are normally loosely disposed in the grooves but by moving the window carrier rail 14 downward with respect to the heads, the heads are wedgedin the grooves, holding them tightly in place. Means are provided for raising 'andlowe'ring the'windowfcarrier rail 14 to free or 'secure the hangersto the rail. The rail'is provided on its upper surface with a plurality'of ysockets 25 in which the fingers 13 are disposed. `The linger 1-3 is provided'on its rear edge with an inclined surface 26 which co-o'perates with a 'similarly inc-lined surface 27 fatthe rear of thesoclret, so that'as the finger 18 is mcved backward the `surface 26 rides over the surface 27, forcing the surface 27 and consequently the rail 14 downward. When the bar 8 is moved to its rearmost position, the'fingerrides up over the surface 27 and lies on the flat top surface of the rail 14 as shown in Figuref, depressingthe rail 14 to its maximum extent. The finger 13 is provided on its forward face with an inclined surface 28 whichengages the Cross pin 29 extending across the socket. This cross pin 29 may 'comprise the body of a screw as `shown in Figure 3. As the bar 8 is moved forward `thepin 29 rides up on the inclined surface 28 raising the rail 14 and consequently raising \the windows. Then the rail 14 is raised, the heads'21 of the window hangers are freed fromwedging contact in the rgrooves in the rail and the lower edges of the windows are slightly raised from the body 31 of theautomobile so that the windows may be readily shifted. Then it is desired to lock the windowsin adjusted position, the slide bar 8 isinoved liacllzward, lowering the rail 14', bringing the lower edges of the windows into contact with the body 31 `and wedging the heads 21 ofthe hangers in the grooves in the `rail.

Means arefprovided for moving the slide bar 8 forward and backward to release and secure the windows. t any suitable point in its length, the slide bar is provided with a rack 3`2'which is vengaged by agea-r 33 mounted on the top'plates .10 and 12. Secured to the gearis a lever 34 arranged on the inside of the top and by moving this lever, the bar 8 is'shifted to release or lclamp the windows. It is to be understood that a lever 34 is "arranged `on `'each side ofthe top and that this lever may be placed in any desirable or convenient location.

c The'sliding windows'2 and-Bare provided alfon r their bottom edges with Yconformable strips `'35, usually lformed y-lof rather thick rubber, to fernifa cushion between yvrindows and the automobile body. These strips 35 are preferably provided on their under surfaces with longitudinally extending beads 86,so that the cushion more readily conforms itself when downward pressure is In accordance with my construction, the 'i windows are free to slide .when they are in the released condition and may be readily shifted. The lower edges of the windows are raised above the body and the hangers are free from the wedging surface of the rail 14so that the windows are not restricted in their movement. Whenit is desired to lockthevwindows in adjusted position, the handle l34 is turned `to force the rail 14 downward. This presses the lower edges of the windows firmly against the body, establishing a tight rattle-proof joint at that point and wedges the hangers tightly into the rail, establishing a tight rattle-proof joint lat that place. The rail 14 fits snugly in thc recess formed in the top and is held tightly in position against rattle by the lingers 13 on thelslide bar. Thus when the windows are locked in position, all parts of the window lsupporting and locking structurefare under tension so that no rattles may lpossibly develop.

I claim 1.` In an automobile top, a longitudinally disposed side plate, a longitudinally movfab'le bar carried by said side plate, a window carrying rail disposed below said bar, said rail being movable vertically, transver'sely disposed pins in said rail, fingers on said bar having inclined Asurfaces engaging said pins, Awhereby longitudinal movement of the bar produces vertical movement of the1 rail and sliding windows carried by the rai `2. In an'automobile top, a longitudinally disposed `side plate, a longitudinally movabie'bar carried byvsaid side plate, a rail "disposed below said bar, said 'rail being movable vertically, transversely disposed I.pi-'ns in said rail, fingers on said bar having lf- :inclinedfsurfaces engaging said pins,'where by longitudinal movement of the bar produces vertical 4movement of the rail, said rail being Iprovided with `a :grooved lower -surface, 'sliding window hangers carried by said rail-'anddisposed infsaidgroove, `and a 'window secured toisasid liangers,the loweredge Efhe window lying adjacent the automobile 0. y1.

3, #111 van f nt-errlble tap, a side plate, a

llO

longitudinally disposed window-carrying rail, sliding- Windows supported by said rail, a longitudinally slidable bar mounted in said xSide plate and arranged to support v said Window-carrying rail, means for sliding said bar and means interposed between .fsaid bar and rai] whereby,7 movement Of the bar in one direction raises the Windows and movement of the bar in the other direction dos-,presses the Windows.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand,

WILLIAM MAYO. 

